In this second of a series of four articles, the author deconstructs the primary national strategy's (PNS) approach to written subtraction. The approach to subtraction is divided into three stages: using the empty number line; partitioning; and expanded layout leading to column methods (called "standard methods" in the consultation document). The main subtraction goal is to have children progress inexorably towards the standard compact decomposition method. The procedure is introduced via the "expanded method," initially using an example that required no "exchanging" or "borrowing." (Contains 7 figures.) [For Part 1, see EJ768915.]